Mariah: The M Series: Book Two

by Ryanne Anthony

  “Mandy has many talents, but ballroom dancing is not one of them. She insisted I ask you tonight.”

  We turned toward Mandy, who was standing with a woman that looked like her. She smiled and nodded.

  “In that case, I'd love a dance with you, Joshua.”

  He smiled back, then looked at Pops. “Dr. Harvey?”

  “By all means, son.” He patted Joshua's shoulder and smiled. Pops kissed my temple then insisted I enjoy myself. I smiled as he sat next to my mom at the table. Joshua held my elbow and walked me toward the live band.

  “How about a quickstep, Mariah,” he asked.

  “Yes, I can do that.” I smiled and took the 'just in case' band from my wrist and secured my hair.

  “Good,” Joshua murmured then addressed the band. “Gentlemen? A quickstep for us, please.”

  The bandleader nodded then Joshua held my elbow again and led me to the far corner. “I'm afraid you may be asked again to dance, Mariah. Matthew hasn't danced in a while either.” He grinned then said, “I predict the Viennese Waltz.”

  I smiled. “I'd love to dance with him. I rarely have the chance to ballroom; not many people can.”

  “We are quite the rivals. We will require judging.”

  I laughed at that. “Oh, no! I'm not getting into that. I'll just dance and not judge.”

  “I'm sorry, Mariah, but you'll have to; I won't get any rest until you give an honest, well thought-out, loud and strong declaration that I’m better in front of everyone here.”

  “I guess I'd better then. You need all the rest you can get before your honeymoon.”

  He flushed scarlet then laughed loudly. “Touché, Mariah. Touché.” He looked around, still chuckling. “Floor's clear. Ready?”

  I nodded. Joshua takes a deep breath, postures and holds out his hand. I stepped back, and glide to him. I take his hand and we salute to closed position. He nodded to the band.

  The band started and on cue, Joshua firmed his grip on my hand and his fingertips on the other hand press at my back, and we took off, our first 'run' and glide was flawless and I heard a wealth of applause.

  Joshua took lead very well and he had us cover the entire floor. By the time the song ended, I was almost breathless. We received a loud applause for our efforts.

  “Mariah, thank you,” he grinned, squeezing my hand. “I look forward to dancing with you again. If you don't mind, that is.”

  I laughed. “Not at all, Joshua, I look forward to it, too. I had a wonderful time.”

  Matthew walked up, tossing Joshua his jacket. “My turn! Get out of here, Twerp, and stop hogging the lady,” he demanded as he took my hand from Joshua's.

  “Remember, Mariah, you'll have to let us know who the better dancer is. Even though I already know it's me.” Joshua winked then said, “Try not to fall asleep while dancing with Toad, here.”

  Matthew pulled a face and pretended to be ready to throw a punch. Joshua laughed with the crowd and ran off. Matthew turned back to me, chuckling then bowed, holding out his hand.

  “May I have this dance, my lady?”

  I smiled and curtsied. “Why, yes you may, kind sir.”

  I looked over and see Joshua smiling at us with his arm around Mandy's waist.

  “Extra points for bowing and calling me 'Lady',” I called to him, pointing to Matthew.

  “Damn it,” Joshua replied in mock anger. Everyone laughed.

  “Viennese Waltz, please,” Matthew called to the band as he held out his hand.

  I giggled. Joshua was right! I looked his way again and he gave me an I told you look. I took Matthew's hand and as the intro played, he raises my arm, twirled me twice, and pulled me into closed position.

  I grinned. “Ooh, very good!”

  “It's all in the hips,” Matthew stated, wickedly. “I'm going to knock that twerp out. Here we go.”

  Again, fluid and perfection, like there had been no gap in training. We covered the entire floor and he actually dipped me! Twice! Matthew was the better dancer, by far, carrying more grace and ease of the step. He knew a woman's body well and was not afraid to use it across the floor. The Cannon men had been trained quite well.

  When we're done, I had to applaud with the spectators.

  “Thank you, Mariah. That dance was truly remarkable,” Matthew breathed, then kissed my hand.

  “Thank you, Matthew. Pleasure was all mine,” I assured.

  He held my arm wide and twirled me one last time. He released my hand and I smacked right into a chest I knew too well. His arms came out to steady me. I frowned as Matthew patted Marcus' back twice then walked away.

  “Lost points for this, Matthew,” I called out, after trying to move out of Marcus’ grip. His hands tightened on my arms, preventing me from getting too far away from him.

  “Sorry, Mariah, but I think it's worth it.”

  “I think it's my turn, Miss Hollander,” Marcus murmured at my ear. I barely managed to hide a shudder.

  I looked up, tilted my head and narrowed my eyes at him. “I don't know if that is such a good idea, Dr. Cannon,” I murmured in controlled evenness. I felt anything but calm in his arms. Especially when I smelled his scent, which I’d missed so much.

  He smirked. “Dr. Cannon is my father. Let's stick with Marcus, shall we?”

  I pushed out of his embrace. He looked so yummy in that gray suit, black shirt and no tie. His top two buttons were undone and he hadn’t shaved. Still, as good as he looks and smells, I couldn’t forgive him.

  “I think I'll stick with goodbye instead,” I murmured and walked off.

  I walked into the house and sat in what I believed was the TV room, willing myself not to cry. As I tried to figure out how to get a ride home, Marcus entered and stood in front of me, holding out his hand.

  “I believe you owe me a dance. My brothers got one and it's only fair that I have one, too.”

  He smelled so fucking good and my sex twitched when I inhaled him.

  “You've gotten so much more than a dance from me, already. Haven't you had enough?”

  “No; I never will and you know that, Mariah.”

  I sighed heavily. “What do you want from me, Marcus?”

  He sat across from me. “I want you back, baby. And I want you to listen to me.”

  I looked at him for a moment and all I wanted to do was kiss that mouth.

  No, we can't; there are still trust issues here that just cannot be swept under a rug, and if we have any chance of a future together, they need to be hashed out now.

  I crossed my legs, entwined my fingers and put my hands on my knee. “Talk,” I commanded quietly, staring at him intently.

  He spoke in a low, determined tone; the same one he used with Nathan when he told him about the position in the E.R. at the hospital.

  “My name is Marcus Alexander Cannon. There's no denying that but for years I tried. I had an issue with my father that has since been resolved. I stopped using Cannon as much as I could during our feud and led a life independent of him. For years, my father and I didn’t even speak. I should have told you that on my birthday after I gave you the anklet, or when you told me about that asshole. I'll regret forever not doing so. My intentions were never to hurt you and I’m so sorry that I did. The last thing I ever wanted to do in the world is cause you any pain.”

  We knew all of that. Well, not the causing pain thing…

  I tilted my head at him and glared. “You said your definition of a couple is two people in a meaningful relationship. I agreed to that much too soon. I should have included honesty, trust and respect. I feel those issues were lacking when we were together. I really think you should work on them before you enter your next relationship.”

  I stood and started to walk away to find a phone but his hand captured my wrist and stopped me. I shuddered slightly at his touch. I swear he did, too.

  “Don't let your stubbornness ruin us, Mariah,” he whispered in my ear.

  I fought a tingling as his breath hit
my skin. Still, I turned to him and scoffed.

  “Funny, I thought it was your lies and mistrust that did it.”

  He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “Are you seriously saying we're done?”

  I couldn't look at him, anymore. Instead, I stared at a flower pot on the table.

  “I trusted you with my heart and you trounced it. I told you how frightened I was of that happening again and not even a week later...” I exhaled deeply and turned to face him again. “You don't trust me; you have secrets that you cannot or will not share. You don't do that to someone you claim to love. You allowed others to tell me simple things about you that you should have told me in the beginning or as they occurred. That is not trust and it is certainly not respect. I love you, Marcus, and that's not going to change but I need more than phenomenal sex and a man that knows his way around a kitchen. I need to trust you and for you to trust me.”

  “I love you, too, Mariah. And I do trust you. More than anyone.”

  I shook my head. “I don't believe you do, Marcus.” I snatched my wrist from his grip. “You still haven't said anything to make me believe you do. I came here with the intention of working this out, but once again, you failed me. Last shot, and to prove that I'm sincere, I'll even help you. I require total honesty, trust and respect. Why didn't you tell me who you we were when we agreed we were a couple?”

  I stared intently into his eyes, willing... aching for him to be honest with me.

  “It had to do with a feud between my father and I that I don't like to dwell on or rehash. It's nothing to do with you or anyone outside my family.”

  That is true, according to Katherine. But still... is it enough?

  I went back to my seat. He sat in his on the edge.

  “Were you ever concerned about me coming after you for your money? Is that why you weren't honest with me,” I asked, looking in his eyes.

  He frowned. “Of course not. I know that's not the person you are.”

  I was starting to boil. Him being this close to me yet so far removed is frustrating, to say the least. I still couldn't get him to say what I wanted, needed him to and I was growing tired of coaxing him.

  One more time. Just once more; we need him.

  “Okay... did you think I would once I found out the truth?”

  He frowned. “Where are you going with all this?”

  “I'm trying to figure out your reasoning in keeping who you are secret,” I snapped, sick of this train going nowhere at 100 miles an hour. “I understand that you want or wanted to disconnect from your father's influence and that you had issues with something he did. What I don't understand is how you could keep the secret going once you expressed interest in something long term with me. You told me you loved me but the most basic, most important thing about you, your name, was kept secret. To me, that feels like lack of respect. And everyone around me knew the truth and none of you felt I was invested enough to enlighten me, which equals lack of trust,” I yelled.

  Marcus sat back in his chair.

  “All right, Mariah. You want honesty. Let's reverse the tables for a moment. Have you told me everything about yourself?”

  “Everything.”

  “I didn't know you could sing until last night.”

  “Apples and avocados, Marcus.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Omitting a name and one's prosperity does not compare to someone being able to carry a tune,” I shouted.

  “It's still an important factor in your life,” Marcus shouted back. “You think it's simple and unimportant... well, that's how I feel about my last name! Jesus... Do you know how sexy you were on that stage last night? It was like listening to an angel croon. I'd never been so turned on in my life! My whole fucking body ached for you.”

  As did ours, guy. As it does, still.

  He dropped his head down and shook it. “Then that fucking song... it felt like you were ripping my fucking heart out in front of everyone in that place. I swear I don't know how I made it here last night in one piece.”

  My heart wrenched at his words and my tears couldn't be held. I felt exactly as he did but I was too afraid to give in again, no matter how much I wanted to. I pinched between my eyes, praying to calm down so I don't have another migraine.

  “Now you know exactly how I felt,” I murmured. “Feel.”

  Marcus knelt in front of my chair. His scent instantly invaded my nose again and I felt that familiar throb. I wanted him.

  “Besides all that,” he said quietly, caressing my nape. “…you have huge issues about money that you can't seem to get around. I didn't want to risk losing you by telling you I have it. Not to mention the fact that, technically, I’m one of your bosses.”

  Yeah... that is all true. Hey, do you think he got us that--

  “You bought me that stethoscope, didn't you?”

  His face now held a stunned expression. “Yes, I did. How did you get it? I threw it out of my car's window.”

  Now I was stunned. “What?”

  “I was going to give it to you when I came to apologize for my behavior that day. I saw you with Nathan and I just... lost my mind. I got out of my car and caught up to you just as he told you he loved you... then you said you loved him, too, and everything in me broke. When you asked me to leave, after we made love, the damn thing was still sitting on the passenger seat and I just sat and stared at it. It felt like it was mocking me. After a minute or two, I started the car and threw it out my window and left as fast as I could. I truly don't know how you got it.”

  He thumbed away my tears, then reached into his chest pocket. He pulled out a handkerchief and patted the rest of my face dry. I put my head down and gazed at my fingers in my lap. Marcus leaned my head over and puts his forehead on my temple.

  “Baby, I messed up. I promise it won't happen again. I apologize with everything in me and everything I have. I know it's only been one day since I've made love with you but it feels like years. I need you. I love you. I missed you last night and I hated waking up without you this morning. Come back to me and let me make this up to you. I hate when you cry and I want to do any and everything possible to make you smile again. You don’t know how much I need you, baby. If you can't answer me now, promise me you'll give it some serious thought.”

  I sat for a moment, cherishing being held by him again. Still, I hadn't heard everything from him. He hadn't said what he did to Will, or why, but I found myself whispering to him, “I'll think it through, Marcus.”

  He planted a lone kiss on the corner of my mouth and I shivered.

  “Promise me you won't go out with anyone else, baby. Not yet. Not unless we agree we are truly and completely over.”

  I looked at him. How could he even think I would want to date anyone else?

  “What about you? Can you promise me the same thing?”

  “I can. I don't want to be with anyone else. You're it for me, baby.”

  “For me, too, Marcus. I promise not to date anyone while I give us some serious thought.”

  “Thank you, baby. As do I.” He stood and held out his hand. “Go back to the party and enjoy yourself.”

  We’ll go back, but we’ll not be enjoying myself.

  Ourselves, I mentally corrected.

  Myself. This is your… whatever. Enjoy it all.

  “All right,” I agreed, quietly. I took his hand and electricity sparked everywhere. I rose from my seat and walked toward the door.

  I didn't look back and he said nothing else.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Come on and dance with me…

  I slowly walked back to our table. Everyone looked at me, hopefully. I shook my head. I crossed my legs and stretched my arms with my elbows on the table running my finger around the rim of my glass. I watched others on the dance floor and again thought about the dance Marcus and I shared. I wanted to be back in his arms, more than anything.

  What’s holding me back? He'd admitted his error and had apologized for it. And tha
t line about my money issues... quite the bullseye.

  What more do you need?

  It's the whole thing with Will that's still bugging me.

  Maybe I should forget everything and get nasty drunk and make a complete ass out of myself again.

  I turned and saw Mom and Pops, Tom and Monica and Lisa and Nathan dancing and I felt a pang of jealousy. I wanted that to be me and Marcus; wanted us dancing and not paying attention to anything else, just one another.

  You're just too stubborn to do anything about it.

  What could I do?

  Shit. I should learn to trust him again... but how when he kept secrets and didn't trust me enough to hear them and make my own decision?

  And firing Will. So uncalled for.

  I wasn’t even with him; I believed he was still engaged to Adina and I felt so bad about kissing him in that foyer.

  The music ended and everyone returned to the table. Shit. I need to go home and think this through further, privately.

  An amplified voice broke my thoughts. I looked to the stage. Joshua and Mandy were standing at the mic, holding drinks. I stared at my drink again as Joshua spoke.

  “Good evening, all. We'd like to thank you all for coming out and celebrating with Mandy and I tonight. We look forward to seeing you all at our wedding next week.”

  Everyone applauded. God, I really wanted to go home.

  “Now, my brother would like to say a few words, as well.”

  Marcus walked to the mic. Good, the toast... I can go soon.

  “To the bride and groom. Here's to many years of bliss and babies. Cheers!”

  Everyone shouted 'cheers' and sipped their drinks. I smirked.

  Yeah, that 'no babies' thing was still nagging me, too. Getting drunk’s sounding better and better.

  Agreeing, I picked up my glass and downed my martini.

  T frowned at me. “Cookie--”

  “Shh,” I snapped, scowling at him.

  “When I first met the woman I love, she had the same sad look on her face that she has now. I swore if I could make her mine, I'd always do whatever I had to do to put a smile on her beautiful face.”